Madru, who is nicknamed Dru is a Brahmin priest who spends most of his time hanging out at the Varanasi burning ghats explaining the ritual aspects of the cremation site to tourists and journalists alike. Sometimes he is given cash presents in exchange for the information. When he or another Brahmin priest assists at a cremation, he works as a guide as well for the chief mourner, who must follow a prescribed ritual to ensure the proper send off for the loved one. Brahmins are given gifts by the mourning family throughout the ritual process, which begins at home when a Hindu dies and continues for many months and then yearly.